Our agency theme for the month of October has been SANCTUARY. If you’re following us on social media or have been to our agency within the last 2 years, the word Sanctuary should ring a bell! AK Child & Family has been in the process of officially implementing what is known as The Sanctuary Model—an organizational model designed to “counteract the biological, emotional, cognitive, social, and moral wounds suffered by the victims of traumatic experience and extended exposure to adversity.” In a nutshell, it is an organizational intervention of sorts--a reformatting of our entire agency’s way of thinking & behaving, so that the WAY in which we operate is just as trauma-informed as our specific work with youth and families.
So, what does a Sanctuary-certified agency look like?
“A Sanctuary program should be a strong, resilient, structured, tolerant, caring,
knowledge-seeking, creative, innovative, cohesive and nonviolent community where:
• Staff are thriving, people trust each other to do the right thing, and clients are making progress in their own recovery within the context of a truly safe and connected community.
• Communication is open, direct and honest and people trust that they will find out information that they need to make good decisions.
• Members recognize the importance of democratic decision-making and shared responsibility in problem-solving and conflict resolution all of which serves to minimize abuses of power and enables an organization to deal more competently with the challenges of complexity in the world around us.
• Community recognizes that “hurt people hurt people” and that therefore, creating and sustaining a just environment is vital to everyone’s safety and well-being. “
We’re big believers in building each other up, and each month an employee is selected to receive our agency SPIRIT Award. These individuals consistently exhibit behavior that aligns with our core values: Students, Positive, Integrity, Respect, Innovation & Teamwork—it’s hard to pick just one every month!
Our winner for September was Psychiatric Treatment Counselor, Prasad Dobbins:
1.What do you like best about working for AK Child & Family?
I enjoy the people I work with and the students. I am surrounded by a lot of highly driven and successful people who genuinely care about the students. I feel the work we do every day makes a difference in the students’ lives and when I go home that we truly did something meaningful and important.
2. Who are your heroes & why?
From day one I have been looking up to my mother and father as the perfect role models. I have learned over the past 30 years my parents will be there to support me and love me unconditionally, no matter the circumstances. From the time I was a young child, my parents have always encouraged me to go after my dreams, to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be and reminded me to be grateful for everything that I have. My parents have raised me to be strong and independent, just like them, and they have consistently made me feel safe and loved. I probably don’t remind them enough that I am so thankful for everything that they do for me, and for all of the life lessons they have taught me. My parents are my heroes.
3. Where is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
The most interesting place would have to be Paradise Island, Bahamas which is surrounded by white-sand. The island sits just offshore from the island of New Providence in the Bahamas. Two bridges connect to the city of Nassau, over Nassau Harbour.
4. What song do you have stuck in your head right now?
Happy by Pharrell Williams
5. Where will we find you when you’re not at work?
Spending quality time with my family.
Our incredible staff is the reason why we are able to do the work that we do and we are always looking for new members to join our team! `
For more information on Sanctuary, visit http://sanctuaryweb.com/TheSanctuaryModel.aspx
For more information on employment opportunities at AK Child & Family, visit http://careers.akchild.org/careers/ or contact our HR Department: 907-348-9294!
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